S i g n i s I n d i a

MANILA, July 12, 2010—Philippine Catholic bishops called on President Benigno Aquino III to rescind current policies that promotes artificial contraception.

The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said Aquino must protect the sanctity of life by putting an end to government’s contraceptive mentality.

Bishop Nereo Odchimar, CBCP President, said they expect the new president to take action soon by reversing current policies that promotes the use contraceptives such as condoms and pills.

“We, Bishops, from all over the country, call on President Aquino to listen to the call of the Philippine Church that the former program of the government to promote a contraceptive mentality through education and medical practices is immoral and will not bring about good to the Filipino people,” Odchimar said in a press statement.

The CBCP head made the statement on Monday after the prelates’ two-day plenary assembly held at the Pius XII Catholic Center in Paco, Manila.

Around 90 archbishops and bishops, including two cardinal, attended the meeting out of the 133 members of the CBCP.

Among those who attended the plenary assembly were Archbishops Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales of Manila, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal of Cebu, Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato and Fernando Capalla of Davao.

The bishops said they are counting on Aquino’s promise of change that will truly bring good governance to the country.

“Let us work together to bring about a people that is God-fearing, holding on to the sacredness of sexuality, life and the family,” Odchimar said. (Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)